Misconceptions on divorce, annulment

In the edition of February 11, Valerie Borg and Mario Dingli raised some thoughts that are always cropping up about marriages that fail. The debate in Malta seems to have four camps. The pro-divorce; stay married regardless; "update" annulments; the fence-sitters.

Mr Dingli questions how many divorces one should be entitled to while Ms Borg wants the Church to make annulments broader. Both, unfortunately, present some misconceptions.

By Mr Dingli's conclusion the whole world is one huge disaster because divorce laws exist in all but two countries. Would someone who gets a Church annulment be guaranteed a perfect second marriage?

One can conclude that nobody gets a second chance for an annulment.

If one believes the stories of applicants, an annulment can take up to 20 years to be granted.

Ms Borg is dreaming. She does raise some valid points but respect for an individual's human dignity, safety and health do not fit into the picture when it comes to Church annulments. Somehow, one can safely say that nobody will apply for an annulment (or a divorce) because they love and respect their spouse so much that it has become unbearable.

Much is puzzling about annulments. Once a tribunal gives a positive answer there seem to be other decisions to be taken before the marriage is annulled. A negative answer can be appealed. The whole process can be started all over again, maybe from a new angle. In all this there is no consideration for the well-being of any children, the support that one spouse might need or the division of property.

Divorce courts give serious importance to these considerations. Claims that divorce is easily obtained are untrue. It's easy if the couple can, for whatever reason, accept that the marriage is over and settle matters in a "civilised" manner. That's the term used as opposed to acrimonious. In the latter situation, from what I am led to understand, judges can make matters very difficult especially when there are children involved.

I am not sure what happens after a marriage is annulled in Malta. I can expect the law courts will have to be involved in deciding over division of assets, visitation rights and other situations before individuals may be granted permission to remarry. In other countries the finalisation of divorce proceedings allows a person to remarry. Of course, a Catholic person will still need an annulment to get married in the Church.

I tried to just state some facts. I steered clear of passing any judgments. If anyone wants to accuse me of being a fence-sitter, so be it!